New Jersey has become the first state to pass a bill banning Cat Declawing. They have joined the ranks of most of the First World countries around the globe to ban this cruel and abusive procedure. The bill, designed by Assemblymen Singleton, passed recently calling the act of declawing a cat an act of animal cruelty. As such, the penalties to veterinarians performing this procedure and to pet parents seeking it are fines up to $1000.00 and/or 6 months in jail. Civil penalties can be anywhere from $500 - $2000.00.

Although the New Jersey Veterinary Association is balking at the new ban as well as many veterinarians, hopefully it will make a landmark difference in ending this terrible abusive procedure.

Let us hope that the courage of New Jersey to step forward and be the first state to create a law protecting cats from this procedure, will set an example for other states to come forward and do the same!